Politieagenten verjagen almanakverkopers c. 1852

Charles Vernier created this print, "Politieagenten verjagen almanakverkopers" – or "Police Officers Chase Almanac Vendors" – using lithography. It provides a window into the political and social tensions of 19th-century France. The image depicts police officers violently dispersing street vendors selling almanacs. Almanacs were popular publications that contained calendars, astronomical information, and often political commentary. During this period, the French government frequently suppressed dissenting voices, particularly through censorship and control of the press. Vernier critiques these repressive tactics by portraying the police as heavy-handed and the vendors as victims. The vendors' frantic expressions and the chaotic scene highlight the injustice and absurdity of suppressing free speech. To understand this artwork fully, we need to consider the history of censorship in France, the role of popular media in shaping public opinion, and the political climate of the time. Research into the French archives and libraries of the period might reveal the social realities of this cartoon. This print underscores the power of art as a form of social commentary, reflecting and challenging the norms of its time.